Campaign heats up early for Dallas DA Craig Watkins, Susan Hawk

The race for Dallas County district attorney is going to be an intense slugfest highlighted by hardball tactics, pointed attacks and the inevitable discussion of race and politics.

Neither incumbent Craig Watkins nor challenger Susan Hawk will back down in what’s going to be the marquee local contest on November’s general election ballot.

The candidates are already going at it.

Hawk, the Republican who is raising the critical campaign dollars needed to clash with Watkins, has online ads and a website that cast her Democratic rival as an unethical, ineffective leader under federal investigation.

Watkins has derided Hawk as a “desperate politician” who will “do or say anything” to get elected.

And on Sunday’s edition of Lone Star Politics on KXAS-TV (NBC5), Watkins denounced Hawk’s attacks as “racial politics” designed to bring down the first black person in Texas elected district attorney.

So why so nasty so early?

Republicans see in Hawk their best opportunity to win a countywide race since 2010, when former state District Judge Danny Clancy came within 5,119 votes of beating Watkins, once of Dallas County’s most indomitable elected Democrats.

Many Republican donors believe Clancy should have won that race. Now Republicans want Hawk to be aggressive in contrasting herself with Watkins, while touting her résumé and crossover appeal.

The former state district judge would be the first female elected district attorney in Dallas County.

These early explosives hurled at Watkins were initially designed as fundraising vehicles to satisfy donors. Hawk is also pounding her message to voters, hoping that by November she will have defined her opponent.

In order to win, she has to cast the incumbent as unfit for the job, while at the same time mobilizing her base. And Hawk has to be careful not to unwittingly energize Watkins’ supporters. That’s what happened four years ago, when Clancy’s backers suggested that Watkins or his allies stole the tires and rims off his SUV.

Meantime, in defending himself, Watkins is discussing race, which always raises the heat in a campaign.

Republican voters and some independents won’t be swayed by Watkins’ contention that Hawk is race-baiting by telling voters he’s being investigated by the FBI.

But the minorities who dominate the Democratic Party, as well as some white progressives, are suspicious of the vague, anecdotal evidence that federal authorities are probing Watkins’ handling of a mortgage fraud case against oil heir Al Hill III.

Hill’s lawyers say the case was brought at the behest of Watkins’ friend and political benefactor Lisa Blue, who has a long-running legal-fee dispute against Hill.

But Watkins said on Lone Star Politics that he would be “amused and amazed” if he was being investigated for trying to bring to justice a Highland Park rich guy indicted by a grand jury.

Many Democratic voters have an emotional connection to Watkins. It’s based on his historic 2006 victory over Republican Toby Shook to become DA, and his subsequent focus on freeing inmates convicted of crimes they didn’t commit.

Though Watkins clearly is not the crossover star he was when he took office in 2007, he’s still popularwith Democrats, even after he helped create divisive primary contests by backing challengers to sitting Democratic officeholders.

In rallying his base, Watkins will bring attention to the fact that Hawk, in 2010, left the GOP and ran for re-election as a Democrat. He’ll try to link her to Republican leaders such as Gov. Rick Perry and his potential replacement, Greg Abbott.

Want more drama? Watkins’ wife, Tanya Watkins, served as Hawk’s campaign consultant in 2010, so she knows all about the opponent’s history, strengths and weaknesses.

NOTES

Davis to take stage at Dems’ convention

Though it’s not a make-or-break speech, Davis should use the moment to clearly define her candidacy, contrast herself with rival Greg Abbott and energize the Democratic base.

She won’t get another large platform before Labor Day, the unofficial start of the Texas general election season.

Miles still won’t take side on home rule

Dallas Independent School District Superintendent Mike Miles still won’t take a position on whether the district should govern itself under the “home rule” provision of state law.

A 15-member panel has been developed to hammer out a proposal that will be put before voters. On Lone Star Politics on Sunday, Miles said he hopes any move toward home rule would help with his own plans for the district, known as Destination 2020.

“My hope is that this commission will be an assist to that plan and not take us off that course,” Miles said.

Miles, who has been superintendent about two years, says he wants trustees to extend his contract. He has a year left on his current deal.

“I’ve got a lot of work to do still,” he said. “We started a lot of reform efforts. We’re not done by any means. This is a long game. This is not a Hail Mary. This is not a two-year deal. That’s why it’s called Destination 2020, not Destination 2014.”

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About Gromer Jeffers Jr.

Most unforgettable experience on the job: Covering the 2008 presidential race, including the dramatic primary contest between Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton. I was with John McCain for his final campaign stand and classy concession speech.

Something people don't know about me: Was once the lead singer in a Chicago
gospel quartet.

If I had two spare hours, I would: Play poker in the Wrigley Field bleachers
during a Cubs game.

The secret of a good news column is: One part news. One part
yourself.